<p data-path-to-node="5">The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change has conducted an in-depth review of the comprehensive green transition, decarbonisation roadmap, and ecological preservation initiatives underway at the <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="284">V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA)</b>.</p><p data-path-to-node="6">During high-level review deliberations convened at Rameswaram following the committee’s regional oversight visit to Tamil Nadu, VOCPA Chairperson <b data-path-to-node="6" data-index-in-node="146">Shri Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE</b>, presented a detailed operational briefing to the parliamentary panel. The presentation outlined the major port’s strategic shift toward clean power generation, green hydrogen infrastructure, circular waste management, and coastal ecosystem preservation in alignment with national maritime decarbonisation targets.</p><p data-path-to-node="7">The high-level session was attended by key central and port administrators, including Shri Samarth Verma, IAS (Director, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways), Shri Rajesh Soundararajan, IAS (Deputy Chairperson, VOCPA), and Shri Mohan Kumar (Secretary, VOCPA). The committee evaluated VOCPA’s progress in establishing a low-carbon maritime gateway, noting its operational status as an early adopter of scope-2 emission-free power sourcing and renewable captive energy sharing.</p><h3 data-path-to-node="9">Key Operational Highlights &amp; Environmental Roadmap</h3><ul data-path-to-node="10"><li><p data-path-to-node="10,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Green Energy &amp; Captive Power Offsets:</b> VOCPA demonstrated its expanding renewable energy footprint across solar and wind installations, offsetting upwards of 90 percent of its conventional operational energy needs and reducing its net carbon intensity per tonne of cargo handled.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,1,0" data-index-in-node="0">Green Hydrogen Pilot Infrastructure:</b> The review highlighted the development of India's pioneering green hydrogen pilot projects within the port limits, positioning Tuticorin as a future bunkering and industrial clean-fuel production hub.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,2,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,2,0" data-index-in-node="0">Inter-Port Clean Energy Collaboration:</b> The port's recent group captive agreement to supply surplus renewable power to Chennai Port Authority was cited as a benchmark model for inter-gateway sustainability partnerships across the state.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,3,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,3,0" data-index-in-node="0">Marine Biodiversity &amp; Coastal Ecology:</b> The briefing emphasized ongoing mangrove restoration, coastal afforestation belts, plastic-free harbor enforcement, and effluent treatment measures designed to protect the fragile marine ecology of the Gulf of Mannar.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,4,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,4,0" data-index-in-node="0">Technological &amp; Academic Integration:</b> VOCPA showcased its deployment of digital knowledge systems and research partnerships with institutions like Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya to upskill maritime personnel in green logistics operations.</p></li></ul>